Window attachment and anti-rattler



' May 21, 1968 R. GROSS 3,384,401

WINDOW ATTACHMENT AND ANTI-BATTLER Original Filed Oct. 27, 1964 FIG. 3 9 FIG. 4 F/a/ F/G. 2

United States Patent 3,384,401 WINDOW ATTACHMENT AND ANTI-RATTLER Raphael Gross, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Joseph M. Gross, Los Angelcs, Calif. Continuation of application Ser. No. 406,787, Oct. 27, 1964. This application Mar. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 621,073 2 Claims. (Cl. 292-76) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sash holder comprising a steel spring strip bowed longitudinally and having two toothed free ends embedded either into a surface on a window sash or a confronting window frame surface. The sash holder is applied by an applicator having fingers on a flat part thereof releasably holding the sash holder in a flattened condition for insertion between the sash and the frame. The applicator is inserted between the confronting surfaces with the sash holder thereon and the sash holder is placed in position by sliding it off the applicator from under the fingers. The applicator is shiftable laterally of the major axis of the sash holder in withdrawing it from between the window sash and window frame after the sash holder is released free of the applicator. Upon removal of the applicator the sash holder is free to flex and assume a bowed condition and embed its toothed free ends in one of the two surfaces thereby bearing on the other surface and biasing the sash from the window frame surface. The sash holder thereby functions as an anti-rattler and also will hold the window in a raised condition, for example, by hearing on the other surface confronting the surface in which it is embedded.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 406,787, filed Oct. 27, 1964, and nOW abandoned.

This invention relates generally to windows and more particularly to a window attachment and anti-rattler device which may take the place of sash weights.

Window attachments which may take the place of sash weights and are adapted to be applied between a window sash and side portions of the window frame to yieldably resist movement of the sash vertically in the window frame and to keep it from rattling are known. These devices generally comprise a spring strip of steel provided with integral teeth. The strip is bent or bowed longitudinally and the free ends thereof are provided with serrations or teeth. Several designs for teeth are known and one particular spring strip construction has its end portions disposed at such an angle that the teeth of the ends of the strip may have spurs due to a flattened part of the teeth.

The known devices, however, have a common deficiency in that the anchoring teeth are of such configurations that the teeth during their use will break and the spring steel strip may become jammed between the confronting surfaces between which it is disposed and will tend to score one of the surfaces if the window is raised or lowered or may even preclude opening and closing of a window.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a window attachment and anti-rattling device in which the anchoring teeth are of a configuration effectively anchoring the free ends of the device on one of two confronting surfaces, such as a window sash surface and a surface on a frame.

A feature of the invention is a tooth construction that positively anchors the device or attachment and has a sufficient shank dimension and tooth width to provide a long life for the tooth and preclude breaking thereof "ice while, at the same time, permitting anchoring of the free ends in woods of ditferent hardness.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of new and improved means comprising an applicator for positioning the sash holders individually in operative position.

Other features and advantages of the device in accordance with the present invention will be better understood as described in the following specification and appended claims, in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a window sash holder according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sash holder in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a free end portion of a sash holder on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of an end portion of another sash holder according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of a window sash and frame and illustrates an applicator according to the invention and a step in its use in positioning a sash holder according to the invention on a window sash;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates another step in positioning a sash holder in position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of a window sash and frame illustrating a final step in the method by which a sash holder according to the invention is inserted in position and secured to a window sash;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view taken along section line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and illustrates a sash holder in an operative position.

According to the drawings, a device constructed according to the invention comprises a sash holder adapted to be fitted between a side portion surface of a window sash and a confronting surface of a window frame as hereinafter explained.

A sash holder according to the invention comprises a strip 1 of spring steel bowed longitudinally at least along a major portion of the length thereof and preferably along the full length thereof as shown in FIG. 2. The strip has two free ends having teeth for anchoring the free ends to a window sash or frame surface as later explained.

The strip 1 has on each free end a tooth which has a root integral with the body portion of the strip and a shank 3:: having side edges converging in a direction away from the root. The tooth 3 comprises a crown 3b having side edges which are continuations of the shank and converging to an apex. The root has a width substantially equal to one half the width of the strip 1.

The side edges of the shank 3a and crown 3b converge at a rate of convergence such that a relatively wide angle is defined at the apex of the crown and the tooth shank and crown each have a maximum width along their axial length. The axial length of the tooth is of sufficient length axially for anchoring the strip 1 in a window in fixed position as hereinafter described.

A sash holder according to FIG. 1 can be constructed, for example, of a strip of metal, for example spring steel, of a length of about seventy-seven millimeters and having a radius of curvature in the order of forty-three millimeters and a width of about twelve millimeters. The tooth 3 has an axial length or height of about four to five millimeters and a root width of about six millimeters plus or minus one millimeter.

The strip 1 has teeth 6, 7 outwardly of the larger tooth 3. These other teeth are substantially dimensioned and configured to substantially correspond to respective halves of the larger tooth 3. The opposite free end 1b of the strip 1 is provided with teeth as those above described.

Another sash holder constructed according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 which comprises a strip 9 of spring steel bowed longitudinally along the length thereof and having two free end portions provided with a plurality of teeth, for example teeth 11, 12 at the opposite free ends of the strip. The teeth are for anchoring the free ends to one of the two window surfaces between which the sash holder is disposed in use. Each tooth 11, 12 comprises a shank for example a shank 11a having a relatively wide root 11b and a crown 110.

The shank 11 is provided with converging side edges 14, 15, extending in the direction away from the body of the holder 1 and away from the root 11b and converge gradually forming, for example, an angle on of a value of less than fifteen degrees. Each tooth crown 11 is defined by converging side edges 17, 18 which converge at a greater rate of convergence than the side edges defining the shank. The side edges of the two portions of the teeth are straight as illustrated but may be slightly concave or a combination of concave straight side edges may be used in a construction according to the invention. The crown has an angle 'y between the two converging surfaces 17, 18 for example of about 90 and the crown is of shorter longitudinal length than the shank 11.

The root of each tooth has a width of about one half the width of the spring strip 9. The overall height of the teeth is in the order of the tooth length of height of the embodiment in FIG. 1. The two teeth define an angle ,8 which is twice the angle a.

A third embodiment of a sash holder or anti-rattler device according to the invention is shown in FIG. 4. This third embodiment comprises a strip 19 of spring steel having teeth similar to those of the embodiment in FIG. 1 except the teeth have concave side edges 20 rather than flat or straight side edges. The third embodiment like the other two embodiments, provides at least one wide tooth that has a wide root, shank and crown so that a very strong device is constructed according to the invention. The tooth constructions preclude breaking of the teeth and freeing the sash holder and possible jamming of a window sash in a window frame.

Sash holders constituting the subject matter of the invention can take the place of sash weights and are applied as shown in FIGS. 8 inclusive between side portions of either an upper and lower window sash 21, 22 and the confronting surfaces 23 of a window 24. The sash holder according to the invention is inserted in position for use by inserting it, for example, with a metal applicator 30.

The applicator or guide 30 comprises a metal plate having a substantially flat part 31 insertable between the confronting surfaces of the window frame or bead thereof and a sash. For example, the flat part is of a thickness permitting its insertion in the position shown in FIG. 5 between two confronting surfaces 23, 32. The flat part 31 has a major surface against which the strip 1 is pressed and flattened into an extended condition for insertion between the above-mentioned confronting surfaces.

The applicator is provided with means for temporarily releasably holding the individual sash holders in a flattened and extended condition during insertion of said plate with a sash holder thereon between the confronting window surfaces. The plate comprises a pair of spaced prongs or fingers 34, 35 that extend outwardly from the plate and releasably receive a flattened sash holder underneath them as shown in FIG. 5. These fingers are disposed and of sufficient length to overlie the strip or sash holder and to allow manual insertion of the sash holder partially between the confronting surfaces as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6 before the strip clears the free ends of the fingers as it is slid manually relative to the plate in a direction toward the left of the drawing. This precludes the spring steel strip from prematurely restoring itself to a bowed condition and assuming its normal curvature since it is partially in position between the plate and one of the confronting window surfaces when it clears the fingers.

It is, of course, understood that the teeth of the strip or sash holder will glide or easily move relative to the major surface of the guides or plate part 31 so that the sash holder can then be readily completely inserted in its operative position shown in FIG. 7 and the applicator 30 is withdrawn toward the right from between the Window frame and sash confronting surfaces as shown by an arrow in FIG. 7.

As the applicator is withdrawn and the sash holder is in position in FIG. 7 the spring steel sash holder will assume a curvature and the increasing curvature causes the teeth of the free ends thereof to embed themselves in the wood surface 32 of the sash 22. The spring strip will then tend to bias the confronting surfaces apart from each other thereby precluding rattling and any attempt at rattling will tend to cause the sash holder to better attach itself in a fixed condition on the surface it is disposed on.

The sash holder will act as a sealant since the sash will be pressed more firmly against an opposite guide surface 40 of the frame. The sash holder in combination with others disposed on a given sash will apply a sufficiently strong force so that the sash is held in any desired raised position by frictional forces developed against the window frame. The curved sash holder permits relative movement between the sash and frame.

Provision is made by the present invention for easily removing sash holders of the above types described from their operative position between the frame and sash. The applicator 30 is provided with an offset portion 41 provided with stria 42 extending in a direction parallel to the sash holder when the sash holder is in position on the applicator. The stria may comprise serrations or be replaced with knurling to provide a strong frictional surface for removing the sash holders from their operative positions in a window if desired.

In order to remove a sash holder a corner portion of the plate part 41 is inserted between the frame and sash particularly between a sash holder 1 and the surface 32 on which the sash holder is anchored and at least one of the anchored ends is worked loose or disengaged from the surface 32 it is anchored in. The stria then allows a strong frictional engagement between the plate part 41 and the metallic sash holder 1 and it is withdrawn outwardly from between the window confronting surfaces and then readily manually removed.

While the sash holder has been described as attachable to a sash for movement therewith relative to a window frame, those skilled in the art will understand that the sash holders may be attached to the window frame and the sashes moved relative thereto. The sash holder may be made in diflFerent sizes as desired.

The tooth configurations employed according to the invention permit tooth constructions which will embed themselves in the wood readily and strong teeth constructions which will not break at the root, shank or crown in the manner of the known teeth. However, the number of teeth mustnot be of a large number since a relatively wide dimension, as illustrated in the drawing, is required.

In the various embodiments described, it is apparent that the shank is relatively wide and the root of each of the teeth is substantially a very large transverse dimension relative to the width of the sash holder. Thus, it can be seen that the various embodiments provide sash holders with tooth configurations in which the flexure of the sash holder during use will not break the teeth as here tofore so that the sash holder remains positively anchored to a sash for movement therewith and tooth configurations are usable in relatively hard and soft woods, or similar materials. It will be understood, that difl'erent sizes of sash holders and different tooth configurations can be provided in a package kit as an assortment in combination with the inserter or applicator so that the user has a wide range of sash holders at his disposal.

A particular defect of the known window attachments has been that their thickness, generally an eighteen gauge spring steel is used, is such that the known devices do not have flexibility and permit substantially no flexure in use. This is generally due to their excessive thickness and/or hardness. Their lack of flexibility causes the device to tend to apply pressure to the anchored teeth tending to apply movement thereto when pressure is applied to the body thereof tending to flex them or apply a reverse curvature. Moreover, if the clearance between the confronting surfaces between which the known devices are mounted varies, the known devices will bind instead of sufiiciently flexing along the length thereof to apply a substantially constant pressure to the window sash.

In order to overcome the above defects the various embodiments of the sash-holders according to the invention are preferably made of a fourteen gauge spring steel. A steel that has been found suitable is a 1095 clock spring steel having a Rockwell hardness of about forty eight to fifty one on the C scale. The edges of the steel are rounded to eliminate burrs or sharp edges. Thus the window sash holders allow manual flexure for insertion as above described and flexure along the body thereof during use without tending to move the teeth or straining them and without binding of the sashes.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that many modifications and changes can be made within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An applicator for fitting a sash holder between a surface of a side portion of a window sash and a confronting surface of a window frame, the sash holder comprising a spring steel strip bowed longitudinally along at least a major portion of its length and having two free ends having teeth for securing the sash holder to one of said surfaces, said applicator comprising a plate having a substantially flat part insertable between said surfaces of said window frame and sash, said part of said plate having a major surface against which said bowed strip is positionable and flattened manually in preparation for insertion between said surfaces, means on said plate for releasably holding said strip in an extended and somewhat flattened condition during insertion of said plate with a sash holder thereof between said window surfaces, said strip being slidable relative to said major surface into a position between said surfaces, and said means for releasably holding said strip being disposed on said plate holding said strip for sliding said strip off of said flat part while said fiat part is inserted between said two surfaces with said strip and positioned to release said strip in a direction allowing shifting of said flat part laterally relative to a major axis of said strip upon withdrawal of said applicator from between said two surfaces, whereby upon withdrawal of said plates substantially flat part from between said surfaces said strip will be released free of said applicator and will flex and tend to assume a bowed condition thereby embedding the free ends of said strip into said one of said surfaces and permanently biasing said sash in a direction away from said frame surface.

2. In combination, a sash holder adapted to be fitted between a surface of a side portion of a window sash and a confronting surface of a window frame and an applicator for fitting said sash holder, said sash holder comprising a spring steel strip bowed longitudinally along substantially its full length and having two free ends each comprising at least one respective tooth for securing said strip to one of said surfaces, said applicator comprising a plate having a substantially flat part insertable between said surfaces, said substantially flat part of said plate having a major surface against which said bowed strip is positioned and flattened manually in preparation for insertion between said surfaces, means on said plate for releasably holding said strip in a flattened condition during insertion of said plate with a sash holder thereon between said window surfaces, said strip slidable relative to said plate major surface into a position between said surfaces, and said means for releasably holding said strip being disposed on said plate holding said strip for sliding said strip off of said flat part while said flat part is inserted between said two surfaces with said strip and positioned to release said strip in a direction allowing shifting of said flat part laterally relative to a major axis of said strip upon withdrawal of said applicator from between said two surfaces, whereby upon withdrawal of said plates substantially fiat part from between said surfaces said strip will be released free of said applicator and will flex and tend to assume a bowed condition thereby embedding the free ends of said strip into said one of said surfaces and permanently biasing said sash in a direction away from said frame surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,252,816 8/1941 Santrey 29-225 PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.

JOHN R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner, 

